Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-01-26
a Lcsend Of niagara.
Los ANGELES. Jan. "a


EDITOR HERALp:-I read with inter
est in yesterdays HERALD an extract
from the New York Sun. giving an ac
court of very extraordinary occur
renee which took place at Niagara Falls
some forty years ago; and as have
often heard the matter discussed by
some of those who were present on the
occasion, l find myself in position to
add few details to this very interesting
description.
There was standing at that time an
old and comfortable looking homestead
on the lower bank level of the river just
abreast of the Rapids, and only very
shor5 distance above the Horseshoe Fall
OIL the Canadian side.
This was the residence of Samuel G..
Street, Esq. one of the pioneers of that
region, and father of the late Thomas c.
Street, ESQ.,; member of the Canadian
House of Commons, and who in his life.
time built for himself that magnificent
and exquisitely situated mansion known
as Arch Hill. now standing on the upper
bank level about mile above the Horse.
shoe Fall, and from the windows OF
which the finest view of the Rapids from
the Canadian side is to be had.
One morning in April Tin lS4S think
it was) when Mr.. Streets miller came
down to his work as usual he was thun-
derstruck to tiud that the mighty river
was almost dry and that there was not
water enough coming through the mill
racs to run the mill. Big with his dis
covery he hastened back to the house
and presently the whole household
might have been seen on their way to
take in this marvellous scene; and sure
enough the old miller's story was veri-
fled, for there was the Niagara, or what
remained of it, not, as the immortal
Sam Miller might have said, "swellin'
visibly afore their eyes, but on the con-
trary, it was growing small ty degrees
and beautifully less" and already its
volumes had contracted to very shallow
proportions.
The family were amazed to find that
they could walk out in safety on the bed
of the river just above the fall, and
some of the more venturesome among
the party went to the very center, and
there, where probably mortal foot had
never trod before, and most probably
never will again, they planted a flagstaff
amongst the grinning rocks and attached
to ii pocket handkerchief belonging to
one of the ladies of the Street household
who was present on the occasion.
How long this little pennant braved
the current and the breeze | know not
and am not now likely to learn, for, alas!
all the dramatis persona of whom l
write have long since paid Charon's fee
across that dark river from whence there
is no return ferry.
They are gone; and of all who wit.
messed the wonderful scene not one, to
my knowledge, now remains; but the
story still fingers as matter of history
fresh in the memories of many who,
like the writer, had it direct from their
lips. and is never likely to be forgotten;
but no doubt will often be repeated in
many happy homestead, and many a
tireside groap.
when the Oldest cask is opened.
Aud the largest lamp is lit.
When the chestnuts glow in the embers,
And the kid turns on the spit,
When young and old IN circle
Around the irebrands close,
Where the girls are weaving baskets
And the lads are shaping bows;
"When the Goodman mends his armour,
And trims his helmets plume.
When the good wiie's shuttle merrily
Goes flashing through the loom;
With wonder and amazement
Still is the story told,
FHow once Niag'ra ceased to flow
In the brave days of old"
*with most abject apology to the shades
and memory of Tnos. babington Macaulay.
CASUAL.